MOTION: “That the correspondence inwards be accepted and outwards adopted”.

Moved: Carol Lugg. Seconded: Mary Muntz. Carried.

7.Rectors Report:

Written Report tabled and discussed.

This past month I have taken the opportunity to purchase some ‘worship consumables’ for the parish and have ordered (and received) candles from Wrightpower. This order included two sets of Advent candles – one each for Holy Trinity and St George’s. We also have more altar breads coming and I have ordered 10 of the 2014 lectionaries for the parish. The request form for reading sheets for early January and Christmas has come and we need next year’s lectionary to decide what we want.

In the next week or so, I should take possession of some business cards which are being printed for me. As the image of the parish logo, (of four icons in a square), was of insufficient ‘pixel clarity’ to be clearly reproduced on the card, I have chosen another symbol which I think will be acceptable.

It would be good to have a look at the Christmas Services offered in 2012 and decide if they’re what is required this year. Christmas Day this year is a Wednesday.

During the past month we have had the Community Inter-church Council Memorial Service at Numurkah, which was small but well received and I have attended both the training day and the diocesan Discernment of Vocation Day for the four candidates this year.

Bishop John has returned from study leave and I hope a suitable time can soon be arranged for him to present the residual flood donations to the hospital.

The Nathalia Mother’s Union 75th birthday celebrations went well – (more in the MU report).

Invitations have been sent to children and parents for the special Children’s Service on 20 October. Thank you to Merle Cobbledick for providing contact information and assisting with the planning. We await responses before fine-tuning the morning’s format.

The Commitment papers, pink and blue, have been collected from across the parish and as a rough estimate, from pink papers received, the expected annual parish income from the offertory is about $53,080.

This past month, the parish has had five funerals, some of which were catered for by the church catering groups. At Nathalia, we have farewelled Maxwell Grinter at a graveside service and, this week, from Holy Trinity, John Davey. At St George’s, we have farewelled Leo Simpson, Maxine Smith and Bert Beverley. My sincere thanks go to those who assist with funeral services, which are often of friends, neighbors or people known in the community. It can be emotionally challenging. In particular, thanks to Lou Hamon, Rob Elliott, Nola Smith, Bev Leaf and Keith Schier, as well as those who help with the catering and the flowers.

Next week, it is the Diocesan Retreat at Harrietville and I will be there from Monday to Thursday. As I am taking Friday off and going to the Royal Show, it is likely that I won’t be back in the parish until Saturday. Hopefully, it will be a quiet week for everyone!

May God’s abundance and presence bring peace and joy to us all as we come to the lively season of Spring and the busy time of our year.

Christmas services: Nine Lessons & Carols 15th December.

Christmas Eve: 5.30 pm Barmah. 11.30 pm St George’s.

Christmas Day: 9 am Holy Trinity, 10.30 St George’s.

MOTION: “That the Rector’s Report be received”.

Moved: Rev’d. Sally Boothey. Seconded: Keith Schier. Carried.

8. Financial Report:

Cheque Account $ 2891.29

Investment. Account $ 12143.08

St George’s ladies Guild $ 957.39

Holy Trinity Ladies Guild $ 2441.68

Holy Trinity Mother’s Union $ 334.05

Holy Trinity Strawberry Festival $ 1498.45

Holy Trinity Diocese Wang. $ 181.87

Betty Daniel Scholarship Term Deposit $ 8186.56

Offertory $ 5178.30

Accounts Payable $ 1215.76

MOTION: “Parish Council recommends to the catering committees that the minimum charge for funeral catering be $5/head”.

Moved: Rob Elliott. Seconded: Margaret Mitchell. Carried.

MOTION: “That the financial report be received and accounts passed for payment”